Aquarium supporting device

ABSTRACT

A novel fish bowl and fish bowl supporting stand which accentuates a fish&#39;s natural beauty without occupying additional counter space is disclosed. The supporting stand includes a stake, which may be inserted into soil so that the fishbowl is positioned adjacent to a plant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of aquarium and aquarium stands, and more specifically to a novel stand for a fish bowl.

[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

[0004] The aquarium industry is experiencing a resurgence in interest. People keep aquariums in their homes both to house pets and for decorative purposes. Salt-water aquariums, for example, can be extremely beautiful. Aquariums are typically placed on existing furniture such as tables or bookshelves. Alternatively aquariums may be built into a structure, so that they form part of a wall or divider.

[0005] Rare and exotic fish are particularly sought after for aquariums by consumers due to their bright coloring and exotic shape. One such colorful fish is Betta Splendens, commonly referred to as the betta, or the Siamese fighting fish. The males of this species are particularly bright and colorful with long, flowing fins.

[0006] Male bettas will often fight to the death if placed in the same bowl. As such, these fish are frequently housed individually. The betta is not an “active” fish, so it does not require as much oxygen or as much food as energetic active fish do. As such, the individual housing may be in a small bowl. These small, generally spherical bowls, which are designed for placement on a table-top or counter, are well known in the industry. One drawback to such placement of the betta bowl is that it does not accentuate the natural beauty of the fish. Additionally, it occupies needed counter space. One must always be careful not to knock the bowl to ensure that water does not spill.

[0007] Those in the art have attempted to address these needs. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,508, to Weiss. The '508 patent is directed to a stand which may be converted a decorative container. The decorative container may be used as a fish bowl. However such stand does not accentuate the fish's beauty, since the legs of the stand partially obscure the tank. Additionally, the stand may take up additional counter or floor space in a room.

[0008] It is desirable to have a novel aquarium or aquarium stand that may be used to accentuate a fish's natural beauty without occupying additional counter space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] The present invention will be described with reference to following drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the supporting stand depicted in FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0013]FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the supporting stand depicted in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The present invention is a novel aquarium or aquarium stand that may be used to accentuate a fish's natural beauty without occupying additional counter space. The invention takes the form of a fish bowl or tank that is supported by a stand designed to be inserted into a material such as potting soil, or dirt. The stand allows the present invention to be positioned with or adjacent to a potted plant. In this manner, the aquarium does not occupy shelf or counter space beyond that space which is occupied by the plant. Additionally, the backdrop of the plant serves to accentuate a fish's natural beauty.

[0015] The present invention may be sized to accommodate one fish. In an alternate embodiment, the invention may be sized to accommodate a plurality of fish.

[0016]FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the fishbowl 10 and the supporting stand 14 are shown. In this embodiment of the invention, the stand 14 is comprised of a stake 11 which is configured for ready insertion into the soil and a supporting portion 16. The supporting portion 16 is comprised of a supporting helical coil 12 which extends around the fishbowl 10 and a base 13 which supports and stabilizes the fishbowl 10.

[0017] In the embodiment of the present invention that is shown, the stake is tapered for ready insertion into the soil. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the stake is not tapered. The stake may extend downwards directly from the center of the supporting portion 16. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1, the stake may divide into a plurality of segments for attachment to the supporting portion 16. The stake 11 should be of sufficient length so that the fishbowl 10 may be securely anchored within the soil. The length of the stake 11 may further vary such that the fishbowl 10 may either sit adjacent to the soil, or may extend upwards for more aesthetic placement with the plant.

[0018] The base may have openings formed therein, as depicted in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the base may be formed from a material which does not have openings formed therein.

[0019] As depicted in FIG. 1, the stake has only one prong. However, it should be realized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the stake may have two or more prongs. Further, while the fishbowl 10 is depicted as generally cylindrical with a fluted top edge, other shapes such as hexagonal, rectangular, square, octagonal and the like are within the ambit of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the supporting portion depicted in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the coil 12 and base 13 are clearly seen. It is understood that there may be some space between the fish bowl and the support stand, particularly in the area between the coil 12 and the fishbowl 10. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coil 12 is angled and configured to fit around the fishbowl 10 without allowing an excess space between the coil 12 and bowl 10. An excess of space between the bowl and its supporting coil serves to reduce the stability of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the fishbowl 10 and the supporting stand 14 are shown. In this embodiment of the invention, the stand 14 is also comprised of a stake 11 and a supporting portion 16. The supporting portion 18 is comprised of a base 13 and three prongs 15 extending from a base 13 and around the fishbowl 10 which support and stabilize the fishbowl 10. Like with the embodiment depicted above, the stake 11 is configured for ready insertion into the soil, and may be optionally tapered.

[0022] In the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 3, the stand is equipped with three prongs 15. It should be realized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may have as few as two prongs 15. Alternatively, the invention may be equipped with a higher number of prongs 15. These prongs 15 may be flexible so that they can flex around the fishbowl 10 as it is inserted into the stand 14. Alternatively, the prongs 15 may be formed around the fishbowl 10. Still further alternatively, the prongs 15 may be rigid.

[0023]FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the supporting portion depicted in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the plurality of prongs 15 and base 13 are clearly seen. Like with the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is preferred if the prongs 15, or at least a portion of the prongs 15, lie adjacent to the fishbowl.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the invention may be equipped with a lid to prevent other household pets from accessing the fish. Such lid, which is preferably clear, should be equipped with a plurality of openings through which air may flow into and out of the fishbowl.

[0025] It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that, while the figures depicted herein show an invention having a base portion, any configuration which adequately supports the weight of the fishbowl in a stable manner is appropriate. For example, the fishbowl may sit within a supporting rim that is attached to the base.

[0026] The present invention has heretofore been described as being formed from two portions: a bowl and a supporting stand. It will be realized by one of ordinary sill in the art that the present invention may be unitary. That is, the fishbowl and the supporting stand may be integrally formed. For example, in an alternate embodiment of the invention, a supporting coil extends from the stake. In a still further alternative embodiment of the invention, supporting prongs extend directly from the stake.

[0027] While the foregoing is a complete description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents may be used. Moreover, it will be obvious that certain other modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bowl and stand combination configured for placement in a potted plant, comprising: a generally spherical, clear bowl; a stand having a supporting portion curving around the bowl; and an elongated stake matingly coupled to and extending below the supporting portion, wherein the stake is configured to hold the bowl and the supporting portion in a generally upright position.
 2. The bowl and stand combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein the stake is configured to be inserted into soil.
 3. The bowl and stand combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein the supporting portion further comprises a coil extending from the base around the bowl.
 4. The bowl and stand combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein the supporting portion further comprises a plurality of prongs.
 5. A fishbowl stand comprising: a supporting portion comprising a coil extending around a bowl, the supporting portion configured to support the bowl; and an elongated stake matingly coupled to and extending downwards from the supporting portion, wherein the stake is configured to hold the bowl and the supporting portion in a generally upright position, and further wherein the stake is configured for insertion into soil.
 6. A fishbowl stand comprising: a supporting portion comprising a plurality of prongs extending around a bowl, the supporting portion configured to support the bowl; and an elongated stake matingly coupled to and extending downwards from the supporting portion, wherein the stake is configured to hold the bowl and the supporting portion in a generally upright position, and further wherein the stake is configured for insertion into soil. 